Fishing in Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach fishing is the reason why literally hundreds of thousands of vacationing anglers come back to this seaside destination year after year. Even though it’s just a few miles from Panama City, PCB has one thing that clearly defines the area: the swaths of sandy beaches. And just as you come to any local marina, you immediately see various vessels ready to take people out. Dozens of families on vacation, veteran anglers and novices come aboard these fishing machines for their next aquatic adventure. If you are wondering why, you have just never experienced this angler’s paradise.

Known For

Panama City Beach has become one of Florida's fishing favorites thanks to the generosity of the versatile waterways. Starting with the prolific St. Andrews Bay System, which is ripe with fishing potential regardless of your preferences, and going all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, Panama City Beach is a local gem. It holds the largest seagrass beds along the Emerald Coast and is home for over 3000 species of fish, birds, and other local wildlife. When the average water temperature is 70 degrees and warmer and tropical breezes freshening the air year-round, what can possibly stop you from wetting a line?

Panama City Beach’s shallow flats, grass pods, and deep channels are often called the Panhandle’s premier Redfish repositories. Whether you are a fly fishing fanatic or a light-tackle enthusiast, the local guides will have you casting with confidence. Come springtime, and a lot of captains keep their clients busy chasing the migrating Cobia, which are the local superstars. It comes as no surprise that all of the Cobia world records have been set right in the Florida Panhandle! Where better to catch a monster than off the white sands of Panama City Beach?

Inshore, the waters are filled with breaching Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, trophy Speckled Trout, and Sheepshead. The local captains and guides have mastered the waters and can easily put you on trophies. Tarpon, Redfish, and False Albacore fishing is productive both inside the bay and along the nearshore waters of the Gulf. Throw a jig for Pompano, fish with live bait for Cobia and Snapper, sight fish for Tarpon... the Florida sunshine will accompany you throughout your adventure.

Panama City Beach always offers something in season and biting. The abundance of natural and artificial reefs make the thrill of catching the Big One even more exciting. Head out to try deep sea fishing in the Gulf and fill your cooler with table fare like Spanish Mackerel. Tackle great fighters like Sailfish and Shark. Even if you just want to check what’s biting close to the shore, extend your adventure. Travel offshore to enjoy some bluewater action on a full day trip. When the Red Snapper season comes, you can’t miss catching one of the Gulf’s most cherished species!

In fact, part of the excitement is that you never know what is on the end of your line. Red Grouper, Black Grouper, Triggerfish, and many other species will leave you bragging about the catch for months to come. The fish tales should keep you going at least until the next PCB fishing season!

Rules & Regulations

A fishing license is not required for anglers fishing aboard a guided boat or a for-hire charter, as long as the vessel has a valid charter captain or charter boat permit.

Types of Fishing

Panama City Beach offers a few piers to choose from. If you want to cast your line into the Grand Lagoon, St. Andrews State Park is your best Panama City fishing pier.

If you are up to a little more excitement, jump on a boat and let a captain take you trolling for King Mackerel, bottom fishing for Red Snapper, and even spearfishing for a myriad of local species. Target Spanish Mackerel and Sheepshead in the spring when it is as hot as the weather! Head out for fast trolling for Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahi-Mahi, and even Blue and White Marlin. Try bottom fishing for tasty Snapper and Grouper, as well as jigging for the rod-bending Amberjack. Go kite fishing for Sailfish and Mahi-Mahi. Enjoy sight fishing along the beaches for Cobia and Tarpon, or in the back bays for Redfish. Night time Shark fishing is great fun for family outings and is just ideal for a great fun with your buddies. Fishing in Panama City Beach gets more and more enjoyable with every minute spent on the water. But instead of taking out word for it, experience it first-hand. Fish on!

With bait moving onto the beaches and into the bays, things are coming together. Go out to the Gulf for big Vermillion Snapper and all the Amberjacks you can handle. Spanish Mackerel have made the bay fishing pretty exciting.

The State Water Red Snapper season is open on the weekends! During the week, don’t get lost in anticipation. Try your luck with Vermilion Snapper, White Snapper, and Triggerfish, pick up King Mackerel and Mahi-Mahi.

Who needs turkey when you can have fresh grilled fish for Christmas dinner? This time of the year is good to take your kids out on the water. Fish the bay, go for bottom fishing for Grouper or catch Redfish around the jetties.

January

Even though it’s winter, there are plenty of productive fishing spots to be found. Target Vermilion Snapper and White Snapper. Get your dinner for the week sorted out!

February

February is the coldest month of the year, but fishing in Panama City Beach can be really hot! Fish the bay for Speckled Trout and Redfish or go a bit further out for winter Bonito.

March

The spring has finally come and it’s time for some Spanish Mackerel and Vermillion Snapper action. You can also try catching Bonito and Cobia, but it might be a bit challenging.

April

With bait moving onto the beaches and into the bays, things are coming together. Go out to the Gulf for big Vermillion Snapper and all the Amberjacks you can handle. Spanish Mackerel have made the bay fishing pretty exciting.

May

The State Water Red Snapper season is open on the weekends! During the week, don’t get lost in anticipation. Try your luck with Vermilion Snapper, White Snapper, and Triggerfish, pick up King Mackerel and Mahi-Mahi.

June

The King Mackerel bite is hot and strong! If you still have some bait left when you are done with catching your dose of Red Snapper, go for Vermilion Snapper and Lane Snapper.

July

The fishing is just absolutely fantastic! Pretty much everything is biting. There are plenty of fish to pursue, be it in the bay or out in the Gulf. What are you waiting for?

August

The late summer sees you catching good numbers of King Mackerel and Amberjack. The reef fishing is also great. The bite is still strong and the fish are being cooperative.

September

The weather is just what the doctor ordered. The Red Snapper season will be open on the weekends so don’t miss the final chance to get a few tasty ones for the grill.

October

It’s simply hard to resist getting the last bite of Red Snapper during the weekends. As well as that, you can head out for Mahi-Mahi, Grouper, and Flounder.

November

Redfish bite is strong! Look for the Redheads on a late fall day, but don’t forget about Sheepshead, Flounder, and Pompano that are just waiting to be hooked.

December

Who needs turkey when you can have fresh grilled fish for Christmas dinner? This time of the year is good to take your kids out on the water. Fish the bay, go for bottom fishing for Grouper or catch Redfish around the jetties.